“Once again busying yourself with your research?”
“I know everyone else is asleep, but I wanted to learn more about this area tonight before we head out.”
“What is it that you have learned so far?”
“The local language, for one; it’s not too hard to figure out once you start analyzing it. I guess there was a bad fire and a serial killer in the area around the same time a while back, but it looks like people have tried to play down the events quite a bit. There’s a lot more to the little town of Sandpoint than I originally gathered!”
“You certainly seem to have developed a bond with the inhabitants.”
“Who? Oh, Tamriel and the rest! They’re certainly a lot more enjoyable to be around than mad dogs in the forest. Tamriel and I have been discussing arcana, and I learned a few new tricks with his aid! And did you see the dagger he gave me? It’s beautifully crafted; I can’t believe such a thing was just gathering dust in that witch’s house.”
“Which reminds me.”
“Oh?”
“What do you make of the events that transpired today?”
“I’m not really sure. Between the weird face-rat thing you pretty much strangled to death, the skeletal ‘bone-men’ at the wrecked ship, Aemiko’s reactions to the Tienese writings, and the giant monster that attacked Deldubbin…”
“You went silent. What is the matter?”
“No, it’s nothing. We were able to gain a good amount of information from that other map. It’s just a matter of exploring that cave now. I dug up some information on underground systems, so hopefully that knowledge will pay off as well.”
“You would normally be more excited for such a risky endeavor.”
“Ah, sorry, I’m just kind of out of sorts at the moment. Tomorrow, I need to look into some more gear from the town. This newfound wealth won’t do us any good unused, after all. I’ll ask Tamriel for his advice, and I’m sure Cassandra will want to join me again.”
“And so do the bonds of this party grow stronger.”
“I guess to some extent, yes. I enjoy their company greatly.”
“The paladin does not seem to return the enthusiasm.”
“Maybe not, but Aerika’s valuable nonetheless. Actions speak louder than words, right?”
“So says the arcanist.”
“Oh hush.”
“What of the others?”
“Oh, you mean Del…the gnome…”
“There seems to be something troubling you about him. What is the matter?”
“Well, I mean…I’ve studied the forms of many creatures, but today was the first time I’ve seen the genitalia of the opposite sex before. I don’t know, it’s just…odd is all.”
“The anatomy is strange?”
“No, no, I mean I know what the anatomy entails, but seeing it first-hand. I can’t explain it, but there’s some sort of swimming hum in my head thinking about such things.”
“The matter does not seem all that strange to me.”
“Why do you say that?”
“If you were to consider your age and heritage, this would be something of an adolescence for you, would it not? You never did speak of attraction in relation to the Syrinx, but this land has many different creatures, and their forms are as varied as they are unexpected. You might find yourself caught in the throes of desire and lust as your journeys continue.”
“Wha…what? Why do you think that his has to do with…such primitive urges?”
“You should already know the answer to that. I am an aspect of the universal concept of Kama.”
“Yes, I know that. I researched that the concept involves wants, wishes, things people long for.”
“Then your research materials have not been detailed entirely.”
“…what is Kama, exactly…”